Shore, a parent and experienced educator at the college and high school levels, makes an argument for stimulating, complex,and brain-conscious early childhood education, relying on her long-standing interest in 'how and why learning occurs in the brain the way that it does.' The book’s first third outlines scientific findings about the brain that demonstrate the need for a stimulating, language-filled environment during the early years of a child’s life. The next section promotes art, dance, and music for the developing brain. Although this can be done cheaply and easily, the author includes an endorsement for a set of Bach CDs she produced. The last section, punctuated with useful childcare checklists and an age-by-age guide, encourages parents to provide enriching learning environments that are developmentally appropriate and allow young children to grow at their own pace. . . .There’s a little something for all . . . audiences.

Publishers Weekly

Focusing on the importance of the first five years of life in children’s intellectual development, Shore reviews neurological research showing how important these years are for learning, given what is now known about the structure of the brain. She makes complex material accessible and in most chapters summarizes the important points. In the last chapter she gives specific examples (organized by age and sensory mode) of activities to do with children from birth onward. She devotes two chapters to the significance of music in the development of children’s minds, emphasizing the work of Johann Sebastian Bach. She has created CDs of Bach’s music for babies and writes convincingly of the music’s positive effects. Shore points out that young children are capable of more complex learning than was thought possible in the past, and she wants parents to be aware and take advantage of these crucial early learning years. . . . .Summing Up: Essential. All readers.

Choice Reviews

If you’ve ever watched babies – even those under a year old – erupt with joy as they watch dancers on TV, you understand what Shore means when she says 'music matters in the lives of young children.' I’ll admit it’s a bit of a stretch to imagine the busy mothers of infants or toddlers having time to read every word of this well-researched book. But if you’re the mother or the grandmother of a busy mother, tell them this: Bach is tops for building the brains of babies and toddlers.

The Charlotte Observer

Dr. Shore has blended current research findings in the area of brain development with what we know about how young children learn to create an accessible resource for families, educators, and policy makers. This book can help both parents and educators reflect about many aspects of the nature of childhood in our culture. The material is not only highly engaging, but contains a wealth of ideas about delivering educational activities in a way that enhances their cognitive complexity and therefore maximizes benefits for young children.

Rich Lambert, PhD, director of The Center for Educational Measurement and Evaluation, UNC Charlotte

Dr. Shore has produced a marvelous, well-informed, highly readable book that has the potential for substantially influencing a number of critical educational issues. She refocuses the discussion regarding the misguided attempts to "fix" the failures of America's schools and the poor educational performance of too many of America's children on the exciting possibilities encompassed in the current research in early learning. Dr. Shore offers reasonable solutions that can be implemented at the level of the family, the school, the state, and ultimately, the nation.

Barbara Clark, professor emeritus, California State University, Los Angeles, and author, "Growing Up Gifted"

That music not only calms the savage beast, but is good for human development has long been suspected. Now, Rebecca Shore lays out the case for music and child intellectual development. Readers, and especially young moms and dads, will find her presentation not only interesting but passionate and provocative. Sit back and get ready for the overture. You won't be disappointed.

Fenwick W. English, Teachers College, Ball State University